[EXCLUSIVE] "I am definitely going to apply for head coach role": Azhar Mahmood

[Cricket Warrior]

In our latest exclusive interview, Azhar Mahmood, former Pakistan all-rounder, 1999 World Cup hero, and current PCB assistant head coach, opens up about Pakistan cricket’s turbulent phase, his coaching ambitions, and the roadmap to revival. With over two decades of experience as a player and coach in global leagues, Mahmood delivers analysis of the team’s struggles and his vision for the future.

Key topics include:

• T20 struggles: Pakistan’s worrying form in the shortest format.
• Lack of consistency: Frequent changes in coaching, selection, and players disrupting progress.
• Domestic vs International gap: Youngsters being exposed without proper preparation.
• Fast-tracking risks: Players picked too early without enough first-class cricket.
• Handling criticism: Critics have a role; PCB must deal with backlash smartly.
• Motivating fans: Urging players and fans to forget the fear of failure and express themselves.
• Coaching ambitions: Azhar confirmed he will apply for the head coach role to shape Pakistan’s T20 future.

Watch the latest interview with Saj here:

 

[Shehmir]

I think he is joking with millions of cricket fans

 

[pakistani pride]

With due respect Azhar bhai.
Please leave Pak cricket alone.

Bas kr do yaar!

 

[Double Trouble]

I had high hopes when Azhar went into coaching with him only regressing big time.

In the last series in NZ both him and Aqib were cracking jokes whilst the camera was on them giving each other high fives with the team getting thrashed. Embarrassing stuff tbh.

He should take a career break or move to commentory.

 

[Abid Z]

I’m not sure any of you guys commenting have actually listened to the interview. Some interesting points
1) he was brought in to work alongside Gary and JG..in other words Pak wanted to train him up because he or any local would be a cheaper option?
2) we don’t have a coaching structure from junior age groups so players are generally defensive around coaches and don’t approach them to work on the game…so how do our players actually improve obviously they don’t.
3) players hardly play any first class games “ragra” is missing then they are thrown in at the deep end and when they fail are discarded.
4) the scheduling is gruelling with not that much time in between series to work on the game/weaknesses of players.

One could go on and on but the issue more pertinently is how will a coach address all these shortcomings with the PCB. The coaching set up and PCB seem like two completely separate entities especially when one considers that more meaningful coaching begins at junior levels and then develops alongside the first class system.

 

[LordJames]

I’m not sure any of you guys commenting have actually listened to the interview. Some interesting points
1) he was brought in to work alongside Gary and JG..in other words Pak wanted to train him up because he or any local would be a cheaper option?
2) we don’t have a coaching structure from junior age groups so players are generally defensive around coaches and don’t approach them to work on the game…so how do our players actually improve obviously they don’t.
3) players hardly play any first class games “ragra” is missing then they are thrown in at the deep end and when they fail are discarded.
4) the scheduling is gruelling with not that much time in between series to work on the game/weaknesses of players.

One could go on and on but the issue more pertinently is how will a coach address all these shortcomings with the PCB. The coaching set up and PCB seem like two completely separate entities especially when one considers that more meaningful coaching begins at junior levels and then develops alongside the first class system.

Listened to the whole of his Interview, nothing spectacular and earthshaking. Players don't have time to work on their weakness because they are playing back to back Cricket and there is no break. There is a lot of churn (Management, Coaches, players) so there is no stability.

There isn't enough FC Cricket so players are getting exposed because we are picking them too early.

If this genius knows all the problems and he is not allowed to fix issues then step aside and resign, is a paycheck that important for him?

And how and where are Shadab and Khusdil playing well???

 

[pakistani pride]

I’m not sure any of you guys commenting have actually listened to the interview. Some interesting points
1) he was brought in to work alongside Gary and JG..in other words Pak wanted to train him up because he or any local would be a cheaper option?
2) we don’t have a coaching structure from junior age groups so players are generally defensive around coaches and don’t approach them to work on the game…so how do our players actually improve obviously they don’t.
3) players hardly play any first class games “ragra” is missing then they are thrown in at the deep end and when they fail are discarded.
4) the scheduling is gruelling with not that much time in between series to work on the game/weaknesses of players.

One could go on and on but the issue more pertinently is how will a coach address all these shortcomings with the PCB. The coaching set up and PCB seem like two completely separate entities especially when one considers that more meaningful coaching begins at junior levels and then develops alongside the first class system.

If player workload is truly a concern, why did someone like Rizwan—one of Pakistan’s senior players—opt to play a T20 match in Bangladesh just 24 hours after a poor showing in New Zealand?

Azhar’s comment suggesting "it’s not like we lost or were knocked out of an ICC event" is baffling. We just got knocked out, and at home, during the ICC Trophy. Here he is saying this after losing to NZ C side.

And on what grounds is he claiming that Shadab is performing well? There’s no clear evidence to support that.

For the sake of Pakistan cricket, I sincerely hope he never gets the job.

 

[Abid Z]

Listened to the whole of his Interview, nothing spectacular and earthshaking. Players don't have time to work on their weakness because they are playing back to back Cricket and there is no break. There is a lot of churn (Management, Coaches, players) so there is no stability.

There isn't enough FC Cricket so players are getting exposed because we are picking them too early.

If this genius knows all the problems and he is not allowed to fix issues then step aside and resign, is a paycheck that important for him?

And how and where are Shadab and Khusdil playing well???

Because I think he’s highlighting that the problems are far bigger than a head coach tinkering here and there. The coach doesn’t have the authority to overhaul the first class system to make it more competitive. The coach can’t by himself get the regional academies and coaches to develop junior players. It’ll need effort by the PCB but they seem unwilling to make any long term changes.

So no foreign coach can work in this insecure environment especially when there is so much chopping and changing. I thought he made good points but would be poor choice.

 

[Savak]

Didn't he make a comment that we can't produce spinning pitches in Pakistan because Pakistan doesn't have quality spinners. Then Aqib changed the pitches and everyone saw what Nauman, Sajid did.

 

[Professionalismandflair]

Didn't he make a comment that we can't produce spinning pitches in Pakistan because Pakistan doesn't have quality spinners. Then Aqib changed the pitches and everyone saw what Nauman, Sajid did.

We can’t play spin though

 

[Asad T]

"I never said Pakistan doesn’t have spinners."
Azhar Mahmood clarifies he was misquoted

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[The Bald Eagle]

As per some sources, Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood and former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson emerged as the most notable candidates shortlisted for the Pakistan men’s cricket team’s head coach role.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Hesson has been confirmed as head coach but there is no mention of azhar anywhere.. I wonder what happened here...

 

[BouncerGuy]

PCB announced the team management for the three-match T20I series vs Bangladesh and guess what, Azhar Mahmood's name is not there.. not as a bowling coach etc.

I guess it was known that PCB might have moved on from him.

 

[BouncerGuy]

As per reports:

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering Azhar Mahmood as the new red-ball head coach. Mahmood, who signed a two-year coaching contract in April 2024, was previously an assistant coach but was left out of the coaching panel for the Bangladesh series after Mike Hesson was appointed as white-ball head coach.

With Mahmood’s contract still valid, the PCB is keen on utilizing his services, especially with the upcoming Test series against South Africa and Bangladesh. A formal announcement is expected soon.